THE NEEDLE-TAILED SWIFT. 



Acanthyllis caudacuta (Latham). 

 Plate 23. 



This bird, an extremely rare straggler from Eastern Asia and Australia, has 

 only twice been obtained in England, and has never hitherto been seen in Europe. 

 The first was shot at Great Horkesley, near Colchester, in July 1846, and the other 

 near Ringwood, Hampshire, in July 1879, the last having had a companion which 

 was not secured. The breeding range of this large and long-winged Swift extends 

 from eastern Siberia southwards through Saghalien, Manchuria, Mongolia, and 

 Japan, while the bird spends the winter in Australia and Tasmania. 



General Prjevalsky found these birds breeding in river cliffs and in hollow 

 trees, several pairs generally nesting in close proximity ; their notes are said to 

 be weak, more like a Swallow's than the common Swift's. The eggs are white, 

 and the bird subsists entirely on insects. The male and female are alike in 

 colour. 



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